Shaken Not Stirred stayed close to home this weekend and worked a wedding party in Culver City Saturday night, and then on Sunday bartended a baptism party in Tarzana. Both events went very well, and that was due to planning and preparation. Once again, I was reminded that all kinds of problems can be avoided when I show up plenty early.

The wedding party in Culver City was held at Big Daddy’s Antiques. It is a real antique store that is full of all kinds of cool stuff. I bartended another event in Santa Barbara at a similar type of place. There are so many cool things there, but most of the items at Big Daddy’s are the huge and made of stone, so not easily breakable. I had a crew with me – one more bartender and two bar backs. I’m sorry that I didn’t get many pictures I was so busy.

Nikki and Pia working the inside bar at Big Daddy’s

When I arrived at Big Daddy’s I found out we would be working with two separate bars, which I was not previously aware of. That was not a problem, because I arrived early enough to call my other bartender to pick up some extra supplies that we needed. I brought 8 20 lb bags of ice, which we discovered as the party went on, that we needed more. I sent one of the barbacks out for 4 more bags, which was enough.

The bride and I had conversed several times planning the event. We made a specialty cocktail that was a hit. It is called the Flamingo, and it is made with muddled cucumber and mint, watermelon juice and vodka. My crew, Nikki, Pia, and Maria all did an excellent job and was proud of all of them. I think the bride and groom were very happy also.

On Sunday I traveled to the hills of Tarzana to bartend a baptism party. This is a second such party I have done recently. One very cool thing happened – I saw a photographer, Mark Cano, working the party who I had seen at another party. It turns out he was hired because I had linked him to this blog. I link caterers, Dj’s and all kinds of vendors to this blog, and this was the first time I heard about somebody being actually hired. Very cool.

The hills of Tarzana

I served Moscow Mules, which have become very popular lately, Mojitos, and variation of drinks. I poured a lot of shots, and the shot of choice was Pineapple Ciroc. They served traditional Filipino food that was excellent. It was a perfect day for a party as the weather has finally cooled down in the San Fernando Valley.

Shots on the assembly line

Shots!

Next weekend I will travel back to Coachella to the Corona Yacht Club to bartend another wedding with my associate Mia Martini. I have already booked a New Year’s Eve party in Los Angeles, and have booked a few other holiday parties, but still have many dates available in December.

Saturday night, Shaken Not Stirred, the mobile bartender was on hand to mix drinks in Eagle Rock for a baptism celebration. The proud parents baptized two of their children the same day and thus the occasion for a celebration. The party was held at a hilltop home in that funky neighborhood of Los Angeles known as Eagle Rock.

It was a hot day with temperatures reaching into the 100’s. When I arrived the DJ told me, “Sorry bro, you’re going to be up there in that hot box,” and he pointed to a deck that was directly in the blazing sun. They did have a small tent set up for me, and I set up my portable bar underneath the tent. This was the third party in a row where I was in the sun until it went down. It could be worse, because I often see caterers working in direct sunlight over a hot grill. That just goes with the territory. The guests get the shade, and that’s the way it should be.

Lety’s Catering Service provided the tacos. She had some of the best salsa I have ever tasted. I have worked with many taco caterers and it seems that each one of them have something unique to offer. The DJ was the host’s brother and he did a great job – he no longer does it professionally, but used to DJ at clubs like Florentine Gardens in Hollywood.

Eagle Rock in August

About 80 guests arrived to celebrate the baptism. I served many Mojitos, Long Island Ice Teas, Gin and Tonics, and Bay Breezes. I used to muddle the mint leaves for Mojitos and I would basically crush them. A veteran bartender told me not to do that, and to gently tap the mint leaves with a bar spoon to get the best flavor and essence of the mint. I think he was right, and the Mojitos were a hit. I told the host to get five cases of beers, and I think there were like nine beers left when I left.

Mobile Bartender Service

Portable bar and table available

Consultation about drink menu and shopping list

Theme party friendly

Weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries

Fundraisers, corporate events, openings

Guests mixing it up on the dance floor

Today, I will put on my mobile bartender clothes and travel to West Hollywood to bartend a baby shower. This week I have managed to stay close to home and it has been all about the kids. Next weekend is Labor Day Weekend and I have three big events scheduled. Saturday, I will travel to Coachella to bartend a wedding, then on Sunday I will return to the San Fernando Valley for a birthday party in Northridge, and then on Labor Day, I will bartend a pool party in Sherman Oaks. Summer is slipping away quickly and I have already booked my first holiday party. If you have a party coming up and need a mobile bartender, please call me at (310) 280-6103.

Sunday night, Shaken Not Stirred provided bartending services for the third time in the weekend at a Christening party at a home in Porter Ranch. I never know what to expect when I show up to an event. I have to assume that people are going to drink a lot and I am going to be very busy for seven hours straight and I have to prepare for that. There were over 100 people at this party and I was working by myself, so I had the potential to be very busy. I did have an initial rush of people at the beginning and was steadily busy for awhile, then it dropped off. This was a Sunday party.

People have events and they serve alcohol. Most people drink responsibly and not all parties are huge blow outs, where we have to go for more booze. This was a very mellow event on a Sunday night and I must say was just what I needed to end up a busy weekend. Somebody asked me how my night was going and I said “perfect”. I mean, who can complain when you are listening to good music, seeing and meeting beautiful people who are all dressed up, making money, and eating wonderful food? Not me.

Speaking of food, the meal they served at this party was excellent. I have eaten all kinds of food at all kinds of events and some of it is mediocre. This meal, was catered by the host’s father. He owns an Italian Deli in Thousand Oaks called Benvenuti

Mirrored bar and drink menu at Porter Ranch

Friends and family celebrate

Shots!

. The Chicken Marsala they served at the party was out of this world, it was so tender. They also had lasagna which was very good and pasta salad and veggies. I highly recommend them, if you are having a party anywhere in the San Fernando or Conejo Valleys.

I served a case of Prosecco, and had to pour half of the last bottle out at the end of the night. That is what I call a successful party. We had just enough. The signature drink the host chose in honor of her daughter’s christening was the Madras. Vodka, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange juice. I also served a lot of Johnny Walker Black Label, and Stella Artois beer.

When I’m not busy behind the bar I try to help keep the tables cleared of cups and bottles. This is something I have just been trained to do over the years working at fine dining establishments. The hosts and guests always seem to appreciate that. Next weekend I have a wedding to bartend in Temecula, and am in negotiations to bartend an anniversary party the following weekend in Palmdale. I’m coming up on a year anniversary myself of when I quit my full time job, and I must say I am loving every minute of it.

The occasion was the celebration of a baptism. The guest of honor was one year old and attended her party along with approximately 100 other guests. I bartended, and it was my first baptism party. It appeared to me that the party was a great success, and we ran out of liquor – two times!

The hostess hired me and we made a shopping list together. I had made a list for 60 people, but I guess 100 ended up showing, so we were a little short of supplies. I have lists already made up for various numbers of people, with the prices, so If you need help with a shopping list, just ask me. We can adjust it for what you want to serve and your budget.

In the past, people have wanted to do Mojitos, and I have discouraged them, because Mojitos are a labor intensive drinks that are troublesome when serving large groups of people. I have a new policy at Shaken Not Stirred – just say yes! Mojitos are made with rum, fresh mint leaves, fresh limes, simple syrup, and club soda. I decided to make large batches in a blender and that worked fine. I served all of the Mojitos within the first two hours of the party.

For the rest of the party, I made Margaritas, Jack and Cokes, Tequilla Sunrises, and Bay Breezes. Someone went to fetch more liquor and beer around 8pm, and by 10 pm we were down to beer and champagne. I hope to do more baptism parties. I have a wedding coming up in Mira Loma next month, and another birthday party in Ontario. I seem to be doing many parties in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. Book your parties and events today, because the spring schedule is filing up fast.